Doctor Who Referencing Martha's Debut Is A Reminder Of The Modern Show's Most Underused Companion

Doctor Who
‘s 2024 Christmas Special included a reference to a former companion, and highlights just how underused she was during her time on the show. Doctor Who may have started back in 1963, but the modern version of the show has only been on the air since 2005. In that time, the show has seen six different actors play the role of the Doctor manning the TARDIS, with several companions joining them for adventures through time and space.

While many of these companions left lasting impressions on the Doctor, and became like family to him during their travels, some companions became much more. For Rose Tyler, she became one of the only companions to genuinely form a romantic connection with the Doctor, for Donna Noble, she became the Doctor’s best friend, and for others like Amy Pond and Rory Williams, they became literal family. But not every companion got such a fond send-off or warm welcome.

Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Special Brings Back The Hospital From “Smith & Jones”

Martha Jones Old Stomping Ground Makes An Appearance

In “Joy to the World,” the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special, the Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, teams up with a young woman named Joy. Joy is a dynamic character who creates a lasting impression as she shares her story and the challenging experience she had during the COVID-19 pandemic when her mother passed away in a hospital while she was not allowed to visit due to lockdowns. This emotional story is beautifully written, and leads to an inspiring ending, but amid the intense scenes, it’s easy to miss the fact that this hospital had actually appeared on Doctor Who before.

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The Royal Hope hospital was initially featured in “Smith & Jones,” the season 3 premiere, where the Doctor first met Martha Jones, played by Freema Agyeman. This nod to that previous episode is a wonderful way to tie the show back in with its own history, but it also highlights an issue that arose during that early period of the show’s revival. Martha Jones was a character who was never really afforded an opportunity to be developed and shine during her time on the TARDIS.

Martha Is Modern Doctor Who’s Most Underused Companion

Doctor Who Failed Martha Jones During Her Time On The TARDIS

The Doctor meets Martha a short time after being separated from Rose Tyler, who was sucked into an alternate universe. This meant that the Doctor was still pining for his dear friend, whom he also had a romantic affection for. However, when Martha met the Doctor, she immediately developed a deep interest in him due to his enigmatic nature, intelligence, and the courage he displayed facing aliens like the Judoon. Despite being a medical doctor, and an intelligent woman herself, Martha was made into a lovesick girl who wished the Doctor would love her back.

This led to a struggle in the companionship, and an intense imbalance. It also meant that despite their short time together, Martha was often left to fend for herself. Ultimately, this did make her a stronger, more independent, and impressive character who went on to be an invaluable UNIT agent, but it also meant her character and relationship with the Doctor felt lacking. Now, with a reference to Martha in the latest Holiday Special, it only serves to remind viewers of the way Martha was underused in Doctor Who, despite her enormous potential.